Myanmar takes preventive measures against Zika

Myanmar is on high alert and has taken measures against Zika virus following the first case detected in the city of Yangon, health authorities said on Monday.

A 32-year-old foreign woman was tested positive for the virus, which is spread mostly by Aedes mosquito and can be passed from a pregnant woman to her foetus and infection during pregnancy can result in birth defects including microcephaly, a deformation that leads to abnormally small brains and heads, Xinhua news agency reported.

The health authorities have been taking measures to wipe out mosquitoes and larvae in prevention against Zika, calling for cooperation with all households in the move.

Pregnant women are the biggest concerns of the authorities and they were called to prevent themselves from being bitten by insects.

The authorities have also advised women in the largest city to receive medical check-up before getting pregnant in the next six months and warned couples to avoid pregnancy within four months if the male returns from abroad.

As for the 32-year-old foreign woman infected with the virus, she has been put house restriction with medical treatment for an initial two weeks without announcing her citizenship.

It was found that the infected woman has lived in Yangon for two years. She was believed to be infected with the virus during her foreign trip over the last two weeks.

Myanmar is the 73rd country where the Zika virus case was detected worldwide including at least 19 in the Asia Pacific region.

To prevent further spread of Zika in Myanmar, the Health Ministry is monitoring every point of entry into the country for the virus, especially at international airports in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw as well as at port terminals in Yangon.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned earlier this month that Zika causes mild symptoms in most people including fever, sore eyes and a rash.

--IANS

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